National Bar Association President Issues Statement on President Trump’s Pardon of Former Sheriff Joseph Arpaio

“President Donald Trump’s pardon of former Maricopa County Sheriff Joseph Arpaio, one of the most blatant bigots of this era, marks a dark day in the history of our nation. Arpaio, a paragon of hatred, has for decades initiated an aggressive assault on the rights and liberties of minorities generally, and Latinos specifically.

“He was convicted, but not yet sentenced, for criminal contempt for failure to obey a federal judge’s order to cease unconstitutional detentions and racial profiling of Latinos. Trump’s pardon of these flagrant violations without following the established presidential pardon process, will embolden extremists, and elevate Arpaio as the poster child for the anti-immigrant and racist movement that is sweeping our nation.

“Actions speak louder than words. By granting this pardon Trump has undermined the rule of law, pandered to hate, impugned the integrity of the judiciary, and confirmed what people of good conscience can no longer deny—that despite his insincere words, Trump’s actions enable the perpetuation and legitimation of xenophobic, bigoted and racist ideologies.”

“The Office of the President should not be used to undermine the moral fabric of our democracy, and Trump’s action serve as a warning to our acceptance of normalizing the abnormal—of accepting the dramatically altering societal norms we are experiencing. The NBA is committed to the rule of law, to stemming the wave of attacks on hard-fought civil rights gains, to halting the rise of the extremist right, and promoting a racially united, inclusive and just nation.”

About The National Bar Association
The National Bar Association was founded in 1925 and is the nation's oldest and largest national network of predominantly African-American attorneys and judges. It represents the interests of over 66,000 lawyers, judges, law professors and law students. The NBA is organized around 23 substantive law sections, 9 divisions, 12 regions and 84 affiliate chapters throughout the United States and around the world.